Run-challenged Cardinals trade for Peterson
Big Ben emphasizes his heart is in game
PHOENIX — The Arizona Cardinals, with the worst rushing game in the NFL, have acquired running back Adrian Peterson from the New Orleans Saints for an undisclosed 2018 draft pick.
The 32-year-old Peterson has rushed for 11,828 yards and 97 touchdowns in his 10-plus pro seasons. The four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection signed with the Saints during the offseason after spending his first 10 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Peterson has played sparingly for New Orleans. He’s gained 81 yards in 27 carries, an average of 3.0 yards per attempt with a long run of 11.
The Cardinals (2-3) are averaging a league-worst 51.8 yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry.
STEELERS: On second thought, Ben Roethlisberger believes he still has “it.”
In fact, the quarterback is pretty sure he’s never lost “it,” even if he found himself somewhat facetiously wondering it out loud after his career-high five interceptions led to a stunning loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.
“I have that belief that I’m one of the best that’s ever done it, one of the best that’s ever played this position and you have to have that confidence,” Roethlisberger said Tuesday during his regular radio appearance on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.
Roethlisberger has just six TDs against seven interceptions through five games and his 75.8 quarterback rating is nearly 20 points below his career average.
“If you’re asking me is my heart into it, I’ll say 100 percent,” Roethlisberger said. “I love this game, I love this sport, I love my teammates, the fans. I give it everything I have.”
VIKINGS: Another MRI on Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford’s left knee has revealed no additional injury, after he was pulled early from the game at Chicago because of continued discomfort.
Vikings head trainer Eric Sugarman said Tuesday that Bradford does not have any ligament damage or bone bruising, just aggravation of the wear and tear in the joint that has hampered him for the past four weeks.
GIANTS: Eli Manning isn’t going to have to explain the offense to his new receivers.
Tavarres King, Travis Rudolph and Ed Eagan know it. King was with the team last year and made the 53-man roster before being released after spraining his ankle early in the season.
Rudolph might have been New York’s best receiver in the preseason, but it only landed the rookie free agent from Florida State a spot on the practice squad. Eagan, who was signed Tuesday, spent the final weeks of training camp with the Giants, and was added to the practice squad Sept. 20.
GORDON: Revealing he was scared for his life amid another drug relapse, suspended Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is making his case to be reinstated by the NFL.
Gordon detailed years of substance use, the depths of his addiction and his determination to turn his life around during a 13-minute video released Tuesday on the website Uninterrupted.
The former All-Pro who led the league in yards receiving in 2013 was indefinitely suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell two years ago following another violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy and missed Cleveland’s last 38 games.
He’s had numerous stints in rehab — most of which he said he didn’t take seriously — and the 26-year-old Gordon can re-apply to the league this fall.
In the meantime, Gordon, who was interviewed during a recent three-day leave from the Florida Recovery Center after 70 days in the facility, said he’s changed.
“Honestly the whole experience has been humbling and it’s humbling every day. Brutally so,” Gordon said. “A dose of reality for sure, when you’re put in a position to be constricted socially, financially, just all resources exhausted, the ego is diminished to just about nil. The only thing I know I have to go off of is my faith, family and my ability with football.”